Page 20

20

spent most of the day in Catharine’s school, which is held in the upper
room of a building in the yard attached to her home. Found the pupils
‘much interested. One man pays nine dollars a month to another to do his
. work, that he may come to school. A woman washes for sixteen persons,
and performs other household duties, but is seldom absent, although she
walks several miles. She spoke with much gratitude of her present privi-
leges. Several of her grandchildren are pupils in the school.

Failing in a conveyance, we were. prevented from visiting Martha
Wright’s school, but through the kindness of I. Green, with whom Catha-
rine E. Hall boards, were conveyed in the afternoon six miles to Fall’s
Church, where we saw Eliza E. Way. Her school was not in session, on
account of the house needing repairs. She reported good attendance and
much interest in education. Believes the continuation of the school im-
portant.

Fourth-day morning, proceeded by railroad to Herndon. Not succeed-
img in finding a conveyance, walked about three miles to Frances E.
Gause’s school; we found it in session, in a comfortable log house which
the colored people have lately erected, a short distance from the place
where the one stood which was burnt by some of the opposing neighbors.
The school is in a very satisfactory condition, and the teacher much
interested in her work. Visited some of the people in their homes, and
were gratified to sce evidences of thrift and industry. They rent and
cultivate the land.

One man, who seems to be influential among the people in the neighbor-
hood, has about 200 acres. All his buildings are good, and the whole
appearance of the farm indicates capability and energy.

In the evening the school-house was filled with colored people, who were
invited to meet us, and we conversed freely with them upon their varied
duties and responsibilities. Many expressed gratitude for the interest and
aid received from the Association. One of us read a portion of Scripture,
and hymns were sung by the people.

Fifth-day morning, returned to Herndon, and from there, by railroad,
to Alexandria. Spent a portion of the next day in visiting the schools in
that place, accompanied by Col. Lee, of the Freedmen’s Bureau, in all of
which we saw satisfactory evidence of the capability of the colored child
to receive and appreciate the education appropriate to its age. Many
astonished us with their recitations.

Some of the school-houses are in the shadow of the old Slave Pen, now
a decaying monument of past iniquity; but we may rejoicingly believe
that in these educational institutions memorials of present benevolence
are forming, to carry cheering and imperishable records into the Future.

In the afternoon, by the kindness of a Friend from Woodlawn, we were
conveyed to that place, and, on the way, stopped to visit Deborah K.
Smith’s school, about five miles from Alexandria. The house is situated
directly on the roadside, more than a mile from the teacher’s lodgings,